As I write this, I'm soaking in a nice, warm bubble bath, drawn by my amazing husband. I'm enjoying wine and brie, and also writing this on my phone (super risky), so excuse all formatting errors.

I have a little less than 2 1/2 hours left in this decade, and taking inventory. Am I where I thought I'd be this time 10 years ago? Maybe not, but I have many experiences, lessons and gifts that I didn't think I'd have.

My 20s were all about me taking control of my life. Let's see, after a huge wake up call, I took control of my education, went back to Mizzou (after being accepted by Tenn. State), and completed my degree by 09. I put myself out there and created opportunities (MO Senate, KOMU, Take Two Productions, 2010's move to D.C., Jon, City Year..)...I took risks.

I moved to Chicago in 2011, met and married my husband in 2013, became a Master of Sociology in 2014, picked up and spent time with my family for 2014-2015, then moved back to D.C. in 2015.

I have a hustler's mentality, even if I don't always show it. Sometimes y'all, I can be lazy. I'm working on that.

Out of deference to my husband, I won't detail my adventures in love, but I'd like to thank each of them for the lessons, love, laughs and even tears. You helped me prepare to be the best wife I can be, so thank you.

Faith....boy, that was one heck of a recurring theme in my 20s. I took steps of faith left and right. In fact, most (if not all) of my life-changing decisions were those huge leaps of faith that I trusted God with.

So yeah, my faith went through a major makeover, and I'm better for it. My "I'm more spiritual than religious" phase (which, to be honest, I still am), taught me how to truly talk to God. I've fought with my Creator, I've yelled and even cursed...but, like any good friendship, God never turned away. God let me have my spells, looked at me and then asked, "You done? We have work to do."

I'm rambling...

Anyway, so who am I now?

I'm still perfecting, and I doubt I'll ever stop growing. Which, to me, is exciting. I am a woman (can't call myself young woman anymore lol) who is more sure of herself. More comfortable with herself. I genuinely love every inch of my body (even the parts I wish could get smaller), and know how to dress every curve of my frame. I've also stopped caring. I care a lot less about what people think or what they'll say. I've stopped living for others, and I live for me (and God). I love music, I love film. I love politics. I love a good heel and nice dress. I now, almost exclusively, shop in the Petites section of stores. I love to read. I LOVE museums. I love my curly hair. I curse--like a sailor. I drink whiskey and wine, but I've also developed a taste for water. I have a flair for the dramatic. I've learned how to care for myself, inside and out.

The most important of these: I've accepted myself.

I'm excited for all that this next decade has in store. Every sky-is-falling-the-roof-is-on-fire-oh-lawd-what-is-i-gon-do moment, the shout "hallelujah" at the top of my lungs, and even the "Eh, I suppose I'll be here for a while." moments.

Now I'm really rambling...I'm going to bed now. But first, I have to thank my husband.

Nite.